AD/F28/43 Amdt 1 - Wing Flap Mechanical Actuators - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) aimed at ensuring the continued airworthiness of aircraft. The AD/F28/43 Amendment 1, focusing on Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes, addresses the inspection of wing flap mechanical actuators. Enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, this directive was introduced to resolve specific safety concerns related to the wing flap actuators on Fokker F28 aircraft models. The policy objective is to ensure that all Fokker F28 aeroplanes with flap actuators modified to Menasco SBs 27-63 or 27-66, but not modified to Menasco SB 27-81, are inspected according to the specified requirements, thereby maintaining the safety standards required by Australian aviation regulations. The directive provides compliance details through referenced documents, such as Fokker Service Bulletin No. F28/27-137 or RLD AD BLA 80-08-27, ensuring that all modifications and inspections are conducted correctly.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under Part 39, addresses the airworthiness directives specifically for Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes, encompassing all models equipped with flap actuators that have been modified to Menasco SBs 27-63 or 27-66, excluding those modified to Menasco SB 27-81. The application of this directive extends to all operators and owners of Fokker F28 aircraft that meet the specified modifications to the wing flap mechanical actuators. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, applying across the entire Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring consistent compliance with airworthiness standards throughout the country. The directive mandates that compliance be achieved as detailed in the referenced Fokker SB No. F28/27-137 or RLD AD BLA 80-08-27 documents. The directive has been updated to exclude the Menasco SB No. 27-81 modification, which features an improved steel ball return tube that is no longer subject to repetitive inspection, thereby reducing the maintenance burden on operators. This regulatory instrument, while specific, may be supplemented or further detailed through subordinate instruments or guidance notes issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, with AD/F28/43 Amendment 1 pertaining to Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes and focusing on the inspection of wing flap mechanical actuators (section 3). This directive applies to all Fokker F28 models equipped with flap actuators modified to Menasco SBs 27-63 or 27-66, but not those modified to Menasco SB 27-81 (section 4). The directive references two primary documents: Fokker SB No. F28/27-137 or RLD AD. BLA 80-08-27 (section 5), and compliance must be achieved as detailed within the specified requirement documents (section 6). The obligations imposed by this directive are for aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to ensure that the inspections of the specified wing flap mechanical actuators are conducted as per the directive. The directive emphasises the need for thorough inspection of the flap actuators, particularly those modified to Menasco SBs 27-63 or 27-66, while excluding those modified to Menasco SB 27-81 due to the improved design of the steel ball return tube which is no longer subject to repetitive inspection (section 7). It is critical that all maintenance and inspection activities align with the guidelines provided in Fokker SB No. F28/27-137 or RLD AD. BLA 80-08-27 to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft (section 8). Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in AD/F28/43 Amendment 1 may result in serious consequences. The potential for non-compliance includes civil penalties, as outlined in the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can include fines up to $216,000 for corporations and $43,200 for individuals (section 9). Additionally, criminal penalties may apply, where CASA may pursue prosecution for more severe breaches, resulting in substantial fines and imprisonment (section 10). CASA retains the authority to issue enforcement actions, including grounding the aircraft, until compliance is achieved, thereby ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft are maintained (section 11).